Ratchet clamping and releasing device



June 11, 1929. w. J. FARRELL RATCHET CLAMPING AND RELEASING DEVICE Filed Jan. 4, 1927 ,WITNESSESZ INVENTOR.

Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. FARRELL, or GARFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AssIGnon or ONE-HALF To 7 ROBERT B. LEWIS, or UNIONVILLE, NEW YORK;

RATCHET CLAMPING AND RELEASING DEVICE.

- Application filed January 4, 1927. Serial No. 159,002.

This invention relates to that part of a wire splicing clamp, or connectors as it is sometimes called, and other similar tools with handles, by which the handles may be held compressed or released as required, the objectbeing to provide a simple and effective means by which this may be done by a single hand, that the compression exerted by the hand may be held or released as hereinafter described.

The principal features of the device con- ,sist of a steel U shaped open link having a number of teeth on the inside of the link, and the diamond shaped end of the other handle for the purpose of meeting and engaging with the teeth of the link in either position of the handles.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Fig. 1 is aside view of a double throw wire connectors, or wire splicing clamp, with the ratchet clamping and releasing device attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a side view of part of the handle to which the steel U shaped link and its bush ing is attached.

Fig. 3 is a vertical view of the end of the handle carrying the link, cut away midway of the bearing to show the bushing and also the link in two positions one dotted to illustrate the manner of engagement with the diamond shaped end of the other handle in the working, or the reverse throw of the handles.

Fig. 4 is a modification of the link for a single throw connector.

Before describing my invention in detail, it might be well to explain that splicing clamps or wire connectors in general use have two handles of approximately the same length, one of them carrying loosely in a hole near its'end, a closed link, and this link lacking means of increasing or diminishing the pressure must be forced over the end of the other handle for clamping or releasing purposes. I will now describe in detail the parts comprising the invention. The steel U shaped link 1, is preferably made from inch round steel rod, notched or toothed as shown in Fig. 3, with any desired number of teeth. In manufacture, it is advisable to insert the notched piece into the bushing 2, and also through the hole in the handle after the slot 3 has been out and then formed into the U shape 1, after which it is tempered and hardened. The bushing 2, fits over the 111Cl1 steel rod, is made of machine steel tubing and serves as a part of the bearing,

but its chief function is to aid in bending enough to permitthe release of the shoulders of the U shaped piece 1, from the vshallow cavities-4, provided on each side of the hole in the handle. There are four of these shoulder cavities 4, two on each'side of the handle near the hole for receiving the shoulders of piece 1 in either position. These cavities are preferably about one quarter the depth of the diameter of the'steel rod used. The diaf mon'd shaped end of handle 5, is formed as shown in Fig. 3, for the purpose of engaging its acute angles with the teeth of piece 1' of the other handle as shown in Fig. 3, where piece 5 and piece 1 are shown engaged in both positions. The diamond shape of the handle 5, should extend down about an inch from the end of handle and should be tem-'- pered and hardened. In operation the device is self-locking as will be observed from Fig. 3. The teeth on the opposite side ofl, forces and locks end 5, into the teeth the acute angle is engaging. In operation, the U shaped piece is placed in the working position, or in other words, on the side nearest the other handle, the wires to be connected placed in the clamp and the handles compressed foroing the engagement of end 5 with the teeth of 1, when the hand may be removed and used for making the splice, after which the splicing clamp may be quickly and easily removed by shoving the U shaped open link over the end of the diamond shaped handle end 5. For similar tools having but a single throw, of course the teeth on one side of the link (see Fig. 4) might be left off without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure 'by Letters Patent 1. In a ratchet clamping and releasing device, a U-shaped, open-ended link having teeth on the inner surfaces of said U, in combination, with a handle having oppositely disposed acute angled edges adapted to ratchct and cooperatively engage With said teeth when pressed into the open end of said U.

2. In a device of the character described, a U-shaped, open-ended link, a handle of a tool slotted longitudinally at its free end and forming a'bearing at right angles to said slot, and a bushing in said bearing, said bushing pivotally holding said link opposite its open end.

3. In a device of the character described, a U-shaped, open-ended link having teeth on the inner surfaces of said U, in combination, with the handles of a tool, one of said handles having edges adapted to engage with the teeth of saidlink, and the other of said handles being slotted longitudinally and forming a bearing for said link at right angles to said slot, said slotted handle having cavities for holding said link in operative position with said firstnamed handle,

4. In a device'of the character described, a Ushaped, open-ended link having a toothed inner surface, in combination, with the handles of a tool, one of said handles having an edge adapted to engage said toothed surface an edge adapted to engage said toothed surface and the second of said handles pivotally holding said linkin side cavities, whereby said link may be in position to operatively engage and hold said first handle when pressed into the open end of said. U, or whereby said link may be pivotally disengaged from the end of said first handle.

6. In a device of the character described, a U-shaped, open-ended link having toothed inner sides, in combination, with the two handles of a tool, said handles being reversible, the first of said. handles forming a bearing for the center of said U and slotted and adapted to hold said link in position to operatively engage through its open end with the second of said handles, said second handle having one edge formed to engage with the teeth on one side of said U and having an opposite edge formed to engage with the teeth on the other side-of said U, when the handles are reversed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

IVILLIAM J. FARRELL. 

